Mission Statement:
In the light of Gospel values as lived by the early Christian community, the Permanent Diaconate is formed to continue the effective ministry of the servant Christ responding to human need in the four counties of our diocese.

Goals:
It is the goal of this department to recruit men who are interested in serving God`s People in the marketplace of their jobs and local towns. Those men who enter formation are offered a program designed to educate them in the Catholic faith tradition with a special stress on social justice, homiletics, sacramental administration, and liturgical celebration. Along with the formal education process, a Spiritual Formation program is provided to assist each candidate in deepening his relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church. The candidates are assisted in this through opportunities for discernment, spiritual direction, retreats, and a program of reflection on ministry in the Church today.

A Deacon is ...

• Commited to living in an ever-deepening relationship with Jesus Christ is and through the Church.
• One who is fulfilled through service to others.
• One who serves his family and faith community in joy.
• One who is committed to personal and communal prayer.
• One who recognizes those with problems and reaches out to them.
• One who has the ability to work effectively as a member of a pastoral team with both ordained and lay staff.

Some requirements of an Applicant:

• He may be married or single and at least 35 years of age at the time of ordination.
• If he is married, he and his wife are in a stable, valid Catholic marriage for at least five years prior to the start of formation.
• Both his wife and children (if any) are supportive of his desire to become a deacon.
• If he is single, then he is willing to commit to celibacy for the sake of the ministry.
• He is capable of the serious time and study required for preparation of a deacon.
• A Physical Examination and a Psychological Evaluation are required of all participants during the first year of formation.

How Long is the Formation Process?
As part of the initial assessment process, he will be interviewed by a member of the Formation Team who will meet with him and his family to talk over the ministry and the demands that it will entail for him and his family.

When a person is formally admitted to the program, he can expect that the overall formation process will last about five (5) years.

Outline of Formation Years:

Year One

• 1st Semester - Discernment (both Inquirer and his wife are required
• 2nd Semester - Introdution to Theology (the wife is welcome and encouraged but NOT required)

Year Two,Three and Four - Academic Formation

Year Five - Pastoral Formation

Note: During the Five Year Formation process wives are required to attend two (2) Formation Days and the Annual Formation Retreat each year.

What about Spiritual Formation?
All throughout the Formation process, time and opportunities are provided for personal and communal prayer, spiritual direction, and annual retreats. The discernment process continues throughout the entire Formation program and is an integral aspect of Diaconate preparation.

What about the theological preparation?
Since the Diocese of Monterey does not have a Catholic College nor a Seminary within its boundaries, the Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension (LIMEX) program out of Loyola University New Orleans has been identified as the program we use to provide the proper theological preparation for our future deacons. All of the Deacon Candidates, their wives, and other interested ministry students study together in a location or locations within the diocese.

How often does Deacon Formation begin?
In order to give proper time and attention to each group we do not form a new group each year. Please contact the diaconate office for information on when a new group will be formed and how to apply.